Commutator or rotary ignition-current distributor for internalcombustion engines



Sept. 2 1924. 1,507,065

J. JUDGE COMMUTATOR OR ROTARY IGNITION CURRENT DISTRIBUTOR FOR INTERNALCOMBUSTION ENGINES Filed Aug. 22, 1922 II (Tun Patented Sept. 2, 1924.

UNITED STATES JOHN JUDGE, 0F MANCHESTER, ENGLAND.

COMMUTATOR OR ROTARY IGNITION-CURRENT DISTRIBUTOR FOR INTERNAL-COMBUSTION ENGINES.

Application filed August 22, 1922. Serial No. 583,583.

To all whom it may cone-em: 7

Be it known that JOHN JU GE, a suo ect of the King of Great Britain andIreland, residing at Manchester, England, has invented new and usefulImprovements in Commutators or Rotary Ignition-Current Distributors forInternal-Combustion Engines of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to commutators or rotary ignition currentdistributors for internal combustion engines and has for its object toprovide an improved form of distributor primarily designed for Fordcars.

According to the invention the distributor casing is formed of suitableinsulating material such as stabalite recessed on the inside to receivethe distributor in the form of a disc of insulating material adapted tobe keyed to the engine cam-shaft. The outer face of the disc is providedwith an all around metal track formed in segments, one of which is inelectrical connection with the cam-shaft while the others constitute ametal track for a series of carbon brushes slidably mounted in theadjacent face of the recessed casing. Said brushes are mounted in metaltubes let into the casing and connected to the respective terminals, andsprings are provided normally forcing the brushes into contact with themetal track on the rotor. The casing is provided with a metal centre onthe exterior adapted to be engaged by a spring pressed arm to keep thesame in position and also with means for connection to the control leverfor timing.

The invention will be more particularly described by the aid of theaccompanying drawings, in which 2-- Fig. 1 is a sectional elevation ofthe improved distributor shown applied to the cam or timing shaft of theengine.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation and Fig. 3 a rear elevation of thedistributor casing detached.

Fig. 4 is a sectional view of the distributor casing on the line 4, 4,and

Fig. 5 is a face view of the rotor detached.

Referring to the drawings the distributor casing a is formed ofstabalite with a recess to receive the rotor or distributor disc 6 alsoformed of stabalite. The latter is secured to a metal hub c to fit thecam shaft of and a metal peg 6 serves to place a segment 7 of a metalring f in electrical connection with the hub c and shaft d. The metalring f is divided into four segments f, f f and f of which the segment fis the current conveyor while the other segments constitute a continuousmetal track for the carbon brushes g, hereinafter referred to, all thesegments being insulated from each other. The segments F, f areinterposed between the segments f and f so that the gap between thesegments may be sufficiently narrow to allow the beforementioned brushesto always rest upon the metal ring without completing the circuitthrough any of the brushes except the one contacting with the segment 7.

The casing a is provided with a series of metal fittings 72 mouldedtherein, each fitting being formed with a tubular fitting i at one endlying transversely of. the casing and extending to the inner face of theeasing. The four fittings h are arranged with their tubular ends a lyingin a circle corresponding to the metal ring 7 on the rotor and set atpoints 90 degrees from each. The other ends of the fittings h arecontinued to the periphery of the casing at the top side as seen inFigures 2 and 3 where they are bored and tapped to receive metalterminal screws. The latter are preferably numbered and formed withheads of stabalite or the like of different colors for identificationpurposes.

Located in the tubular sockets 2 are a series of carbon brushes 9normally forced outwards into contact with the metal race 7' by means ofthe springs 7'.

The inner edge of the casing a is provided with a metal ring 72 securedthereto during the course of manufacture and with a metal centre Z atthe apex of the conical back of the casing to receive the end of thespring securing arm, whilst an extension or lever m formed in one withthe casing is provided with a metal brush to which is attached thetiming control link or lever.

In practice the rotary distributor disc I) is fixed to the cam-shaft ofa Ford engine and the distributor casing a placed thereon with thecarbon brushes, resting upon the segmental track f. Ignition leads areattached to the correct terminals and said terminals are screwed intothe respective fit- 15 tofagree With'th'e different colors offinsulataeringottlm leads. Q'rthenaineoi dis on -theterminal along with the 5unugstbmi that instead of carle inalterial may be ;provided, Bthseme'ans yery eflicient distributors ac; Q i1 and have a long life.

we f' a 1 QQIIirniitators or.gro tary ignition ,cur- V rent-distrihutorscomprising an outer casing formed; of insulating ,material recessed toIeCGlYQ a rotary CllStIlblltOT disc, a ser es of S,Vbr1'1slies -ofcopper or other,

are; ro'vi'de'd Which are sinooth'frunnin'g in brushes .slidably mountedin said recess, a rotary fdistributfor disc, a metal ring formed insegments secured to said disc and With one segment electricallyconnected to the source .01": electrical current, said'ring constitutinga continuous metal track for the brushes on -the casing, "substantiallyasidescribed.

2. (lom mutators or rotary ignition current distributors comprising anouter; casing formed of insulating materialrecessed;

to receive a rotary disti'iIOu'tOrtlisc, a rotary distributor disc,ainetal ring foriiiedin segnients secured tofone face of tlle dlc, onesegment being electrically connected to the source of electrical ener yand all the segments being insulated from each other, "a

series of tubula jfitti igs in vthe casing and a a series of Brushesslidably mounted in said tubular fittings so as to be capable ofmovement perpendicular to the face of the disc in contact With the metalring c'omple mental terminals in electrical communication ith thetubularfittings, substantially" as describe 'd. V a I V V In testimony whereofIhave' signed thy name to this specification. V V

, m GE,

